Local entertainer Charles E. Snyder III, a certified Master of Ceremonies, was recently added to the list of presenters with the Lancaster County Speakers Bureau. The ‘Speakers Bureau’ is a non-profit organization that provides public speakers on a wide variety of topics to schools, businesses, churches and even chambers of commerce in the Harrisburg, Lancaster and York, PA region. Charles is currently the only entertainer to complete this notable achievement in the entire greater Harrisburg, PA region.

On July 12, 2010 Charles was screened and auditioned in front of members of the executive board of the Lancaster County Speakers Bureau. His first approved presentation, an inspirational talk about controlling fear and achieving success, was warmly accepted by the panel with very positive reviews. He was immediately welcomed into the organization following his presentation and review. He is currently the newest one of only 25 approved speakers within the organization.

Interestingly enough, the Lancaster County Speakers Bureau was founded in 1959 by a group associated with Toastmasters International. Charles has been a member of Toastmasters International since 2006 where he has won a number of awards and contests focused on honing public speaking skills. However prior to the interview and audition, Charles stated that he had no idea that the two organizations were at all related.

“Each year I am in front of thousands of people, speaking. Sometimes I am speaking to other entrepreneurs and other times I am speaking in front of private audiences at wedding ceremonies and receptions. Toastmasters International has allowed me to practice and improve my craft above and far beyond that of any other local DJ. So when I applied to the Lancaster County Speakers Bureau, I had no idea of their historic connection with Toastmasters; but what a pleasant surprise! The best part is that I attribute this success to all of the additional training that I have been picking up to improve my skills as a Wedding Master of Ceremonies.” – Charles E. Snyder III

Charles is the owner of Extraordinary Weddings; a wedding entertainment company located in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, and he is the author of the forthcoming book ‘Wed Without Regrets – Common Sense for an Extraordinary Wedding!’ Since 2006 he has been an active member of the American Disc Jockey Association as well as Toastmasters International. Charles also has three other books which have already been published and he is often featured as a presenter at conventions throughout the U.S. each year since 2005.

On June 22, 2010 Charles attended the Appalachian Mobile DJ Symposium (ARMDJs) in Greeneville, Tennessee.  ARMDJs featured an impressive presenter lineup of wedding professionals from all across the United States.  ‘The Professional Process’ was conducted on the two days immediately following the conference and in the early evening of June 24, 2010; he was awarded a certificate of achievement by Peter Merry.

In addition to this, Charles is also currently the only entertainer in the Greater Harrisburg, PA region to complete the MarBecca Method MC Workshop.  This workshop was held in conjunction with the Mobile Beat Las Vegas convention in February 2009 and consisted of two days of intensive instruction and practical exercises.  An article about this accomplishment was published in February 2009 titled Certified Professional MC.

“I am often asked by many people including my clients and especially other DJs, why I go to such great lengths to obtain this kind of advanced training.  At first I used to go into this long explanation about honing my skills or learning new ones anywhere I could except at someone’s wedding; now I simply say ‘Because I care!’” – Charles E. Snyder III.

Charles is the owner of Extraordinary Weddings; a wedding entertainment company located in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, and is the author of the forthcoming book ‘Wed Without Regrets – Common Sense for an Extraordinary Wedding!’  He has been a member of the American Disc Jockey Association since 2006 and is an active member of Toastmasters International as well.

On Tuesday, I attended a meeting with the same chapter I was a member of previously, seeing some old familiar faces as well as a number of new ones.  After chatting for a few moments, Ray (the former chapter president) asked me if I would fill the role of timer for the meeting.  I jumped at the opportunity to get more involved right away and said yes.  It all started coming back to me after a few mistakes and I found myself wondering why I waited so long to come back!

But the biggest surprise was when I was asked by the Table Topics Master to make an impromptu speech about social activities.  Remembering my previous experiences with Toastmasters as well as my recent certification as a Master of Ceremonies, I stood up and made a short speech about my preferences for social interaction.  A few other folks were given table topics too, making their brief presentations.  When it came time to vote on the best table topic presentation, I was doubly surprised when it was announced that I was tied for first place with another new member.

The funny thing is, even though I was a member previously for about a year, I had never taken first place in table topics.  I attribute this small success to my training in the MarBecca Method MC Workshop back in February 2009.  While I was already comfortable talking to a group about a subject that I have had little or no preparation time for the ability to make it a compelling impromptu presentation was an acquired skill thanks to Mark & Rebbecca Ferrell’s tutelage.  Plus it was just good old fashioned practice, so I renewed my membership that very same night!

Practice makes perfect.  I will be regularly practicing with Toastmasters!

Charles E. Snyder III
Certified Master of Ceremonies
Extraordinary Weddings
717.718.5218

Granted, for the past few years I have been a member of Toastmasters International and taken other public speaking courses, but the MC Workshop in Las Vegas conducted by Mark & Rebecca Ferrell has proven to be the single most important learning and growth experience I have ever had with my entertainment business.  The workshop had long hours and it was grueling work that pushed the envelope of my abilities.  Despite that, I find myself wanting more!

The great thing about this workshop was actually getting up and practicing my craft in front of my peers as well as under the critical eyes of Mark & Rebecca.  I was able to try new things and experiment in a safe environment as opposed to learning by trial and error at someone’s wedding reception.  The constructive criticism was awesome and I was able to improve by leaps and bounds with each take.  And becoming the only certified Master of Ceremonies in South-Central Pennsylvania is one of my most treasured memories.

Anyone can call themselves a “professional” DJ these days, as there are no requirements other than someone proclaiming it for themselves.  On the other hand, I am quite proud and honored to have attained such as prestigious accomplishment that so few can claim.  As my instructors are fond of saying; it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it!  Thank you Mark & Rebecca for helping me become something so much more than just another DJ.

Charles E. Snyder III,
Certified Master of Ceremonies
Extraordinary Weddings
717.718.5218